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Situated on the west coast of France, the Vendée
is certainly one of France's most sought-after holiday destinations. Its unique combination of glorious coastline and
varied countryside make it perfect for beach lovers and nature emthusiasts alike. It offers a taste of 'real France',
with picturesque villages, historic towns, true French culture and some of the best beaches in France - all this within an
easy drive from the channel ports, yet far enough south to enjoy reliable summers and a warm, sunny spring and autumn.
With lush countryside, superb climate and miles of sandy coastline,
this region is often described as one of the best kept secrets in France. Beautiful churches, abbeys and chateaux highlight
the region's historical importance. Situated along the Atlantic coast, this region boasts a climate that rivals that of
the Riviera.
Away from the coast the pace of life
slows down. Seaside resorts are replaced with beautiful countryside, sleepy hamlets and small Romanesque churches. Spend time
wandering through the narrow streets and harbour of Jard-Sur-Mer or explore one of the stunning islands just offshore which
provides a delightful alternative for a day away from the beach.
Visit the charming town of St Jean de Monts, the second largest resort on the Vendéen coast. On market days the pretty square is buzzing with people
and delicious smells of local specialities and is well worth a visit. Residential blocks line the fine sandy beach, spoiling
what was once a charming place to stay. For nine months of the year the shutters stay closed.
Don't miss out on a visit to La Rochelle. Although it is, strictly speaking, just outside the Vendée it is one of the most attractive unspoilt
seaside towns in France. This historic port is great for young families offering miles of safe sandy beaches and shallow water.
You can also visit the beautiful Isle de Ré from here and explore the island on bikes which can be hired for the day.
The Vendée offers a range of local activities and facilities, not forgetting the safe sandy beaches making
this a perfect destination for a stress-free family holiday.
The
counter-revolutionary movement which swept western France between 1793 and 1799 began as a series of uprisings in the Vendée,
still an evocative name to the French.
As a bastion of the Ancien Régime, the region rebelled against
urban Republican values. But a violent massacre in 1793 left 80,000 royalists dead in one day as they tried to cross the Loire
at St-Florent-le-Vieil.
The Vendée farmers were staunch royalists, and, although they ultimately lost, the
region remains coloured by conservatism and religious fervour to this day.
This local history is dramatically retraced
at Le Puy du Fou in Les Epesses, south of Cholet, with its spectacular summer evening live show, 'Cinéscenie'. More sober accounts
are given at Logis de La Chabotterie near St-Sulpice-de-Verdón, and the Musée du Textile in Cholet, whose flax and hemp textiles provided the royalist
heroes with their kerchiefs: originally white, then blood-red.
The tranquil Vendée offers green tourism
inland, in the bocage vendéen, a wooded backwater with paths and nature trails. The Atlantic coast between the Loire
and La Rochelle has beaches, yet the only sizeable resort here is Les Sables d'Olonne, with boat trips to the salt-marshes, out to sea or to the nearby Ile d'Yeu. First inhabited by the Romans, it now relies on fishing and tourism, although it is still quieter than the mainland beaches.
Maréchal Pétain was imprisoned in the town of Port-Joinville after World War II, and there is also a Vieux Château crumbling on the craggy coast.
To the north, the marshy
Ile de Noirmoutier is connected to the mainland, at low tide, via the Gois causeway, one of the wonders of France, and a bridge which carries
the D38 from La Barre-de-Monts. The island, 18 km long but barely two wide, was once the salt capital of France, and
the marshes still stretch out before you. In the town of Noirmoutier, the well-preserved 12th century château is now
a museum.
Equally tempting is the 13 km stretch of sand at La Tranche sur Mer. Venture inland, though, and a relatively undiscovered landscape rich in history and wildlife awaits.
The Renaissance town of Fontenay le Comte lies between the Pays de Mélusine to the north (named after the local fairy-maid), and the Marais Poitevin
to the south. To explore the fairy domain, head south from Vouvant with its 12th century Tour de Mélusine into the forest, studded with ancient buildings and standing stones.
The Marais, also known as “Green Venice”, is a reminder that this region was once seasonally flooded, until medieval
monks dug canals to drain the marshes. Today, punts are as necessary as cars for the locals to move around this lush green
landscape.
The ancient market town of Luçon, where Richelieu sat as bishop, lies on the border between the sea and the marshes. Nearby are the vineyards of
Mareuil sur Lay. West is Talmont St Hilaire which was once a port before silting up. The remains of the 11th century château can be visited, including
the keep which has a spectacular view.
Les Sables d’Olonne, the biggest - and perhaps the busiest - resort on this part of the coast is also a fishing port. La Roche
sur Yon, the capital of the Vendée, was created from scratch in 1804 using a grid pattern. While
60s industrialisation has hurt the town, it still has a few sites including the empire style facade of the St Louis church
in Place Napoléon.
In the north of the département is the industrial town of Montaigu with the nearby Château de la Preuille. Begun in the 13th century, the château is one of the oldest
in the Loire and has a wine museum open between June and September. East is Mortagne sur Sèvre which is often bypassed
despite its prettiness.
Near to the coast lies Challans which is famous for its duck and chicken. The town has a holiday feel and anyone there on a Thursday between Bastille
Day (14 July) and 15 August will see the town transformed back to 1910 for the annual festival.
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